Lambert58 Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 We just got back from our 1 year check-up of all our fids, and 3 of the 6 came back on the blood work low on the calcium end. We've done a couple things. We purchased oyster shell calcium tablets which will be crushed and added to the morning cereal for everyone, and we bought a $100 full spectrum lamp which we'll rotate between the 3 cages. Anyone else been down this road? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayd Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 http://www.greyforums.net/forums/bird-food/188081-calcium-food-or-sun.html Danmcq Post should be very helpful...Careful with any supplement,veggies would be better...Jayd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greywings Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Real sunlight unfiltered by windows is the best. Fresh dark leafy greens and some cooked grains like Quinoa or Millet will bring that calcium level up quickly and be better absorbed that those tablets or cuttle bone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayd Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 As stated earlier, CAG's do better at absorbing calcium and they're D's through sunlight then by food, in some cases this is hard for some people to do. People who have raise Salt water fish or Reptiles have used Full-spectrum lighting for years with great success. In our home, besides FSL, all are room bulbs are "Daylight" bulbs 4500 kelvin from Walmart. Jayd As side note, If your Grey's tail is *Pinkish*, it could need more sunlight or sun or "FSL"...... Post edited by: Jayd, at: 2010/04/01 00:43<br><br>Post edited by: Jayd, at: 2010/04/01 00:46 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danmcq Posted April 3, 2010 Share Posted April 3, 2010 Yes, I built my own light fixtures and hung over each cage. They each contain 2 24" 36 watt Full Spectrum tubes outputting both UVA and UVB. It is a definite must have for winter months of in house time for birds. The calcium recommendation may be coming from your vet, due to blood tests? As long as your fids eat plenty of dark green veggies, almonds etc. they are getting plenty of calcium. Also, if you live in a hard water area, that is a source high in calcium as well unless filtered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spock Posted April 3, 2010 Share Posted April 3, 2010 Dans our corner stone... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lambert58 Posted April 12, 2010 Author Share Posted April 12, 2010 Yup the recommendation did come from the vet and she recommended oyster shell calcium ground up and added to their cereal (we offer a 1/3 oats, 1/3 harrison's fine, 1/3 kaytee baby formula soaked in hot water twice a day). Leo loves the almonds, but Willow (our calcium deficient girl) doesn't like them as much. I'll try grinding up some kale and chard to add more than usual. The weird part is we have 6 fids, and 1 from each cage (1 sun conure, 1 GCC, and 1 grey) came back low on calcium while their cage mates were fine. finnicky little buggers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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